Elsie Shaw Gaillard

Sailing from Liverpool, England to America on the HMS Aquitania in the fall of 1944, 27-year-old Elsie Shaw Gaillard began a new, exciting life. Having married an American GI, Elsie sailed to meet her in-laws in Pensacola, Florida.After 96 years of life, Elsie passed away on July 15, 2014 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC. She was born on Sept. 12, 1917 in Manchester, England to John and Sara Ellen Shaw. Beginning work at the age of 14 at Kendall Milne, she would continue at that position until she met her American soldier, George Walter Gaillard. Married on April 12, 1944 he sent Mom to his parents to wait for him and the war to end. Coming home in May of 1945, they had six children and were together for 50 years until he passed in 1994. As a housewife and mother, Elsie relished her role. She kept the nursery at the Presbyterian Church, supported school functions, and made certain her girls dressed nicely. Her infectious, booming laugh, though embarrassing to her teenage daughters, lit up the community. Her quick wit endeared her to all. An excellent cook, she spoiled her children with love and baked goods.After the death of her husband, she moved to Raleigh in 1997 to live with her daughter, Knight. Her daughter Marshall joined them in 2004. At the Friday night happy hours she enjoyed socializing, dancing, and a toddy, but just one or two, she would say, was all she could handle. Elsie enjoyed watching her grandson, Wright, play football at Leesville Road High School and was so proud when he graduated from Appalachian State. Shopping for animal print and black and white clothing brought her so much joy and she continued to add to her wardrobe until her last days. Dementia began to slow her down at the age of 89 and a cancer diagnosis came at 96. To the end she loved to laugh and continued to look for another husband, but just for companionship. Preceding her in death were her husband, granddaughter Cindy Waters, sons-in-law Danny Epperson and Jimmy Byrd, and five of her siblings. She is survived by a brother, Reggie Shaw and a sister Lillian White of Manchester, daughters Susan Gilmore (Tom) of Englewood, Fl., Lynn Waters (Tommy) of Meridian, Miss., Knight Gaillard of Raleigh, Marshall Epperson of Phenix City, Al., Jane Byrd and son Walter Gaillard of Elberta, Al.; grandchildren Michelle Purdy, Perry Lawrence, Tommy Waters, Wright Miller, Lauren Epperson, Chris Byrd, and Taylor Byrd; great-grandchildren Caitlin Carney, Michael Purdy, Sean Purdy, Shelby Lawrence, Mallory Lawrence, Megan Fuller, Libby Kate Waters, Phinn Waters, Mamie Waters, Lexi Tice, Gracie Tice, David Tice, Jace Byrd; and great-great grandchild Linley Fuller. Many, many thanks to the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. The care Mom received over her final months was outstanding. The love, the socialization with staff and volunteers, and the warmth showed Mom how much she was loved. The family would like to thank Rabby Kamau for her love and friendship. Rosie was Moms sixth daughter and so loved by her. A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held Saturday, July 19 at 11 am at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to SECU Hospice House, 426 Hospital Rd., Smithfield, NC 27577.